crisp
krihsp
Crisp (adj) means Firm and easily broken, in a satisfying way (used for food, fabric, or air). Example: “The apple was crisp and juicy.”
adj
1
Firm and easily broken, in a satisfying way (used for food, fabric, or air).
"The apple was crisp and juicy."
"It was a crisp autumn morning."
"The crisp lettuce made the sandwich taste fresh."
2
Clear, sharp, and precise.
"He gave a crisp answer without hesitation."
"The speaker's crisp delivery kept everyone listening closely."
"The photo was crisp, with every detail clearly visible."
noun
1
British English: a thin fried slice of potato sold as a snack (called a "chip" in American English).
"She opened a bag of salt and vinegar crisps."
"He ate a packet of cheese crisps while watching the match."
"The children shared a bag of crisps at the picnic."
How to use crisp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFirm and pleasingly brittle, or clear and precise; in British English, also a fried potato snack.
UK vs US
British English "crisp" (the snack) is American English "chip"; British "chips" are American "fries."
Common pairings
crisp air
crisp voice
a packet of crisps
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Word forms
- Plural
- crisps
- Third person singular
- crisps
- Past tense
- crisped
- Comparative
- crisper
- Superlative
- crispest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The apple was _____ and juicy.
Etymology
From Old English crisp, "curly," from Latin crispus — originally describing curly hair, later extended to the crackly, brittle sense we use today.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for crisp
See all rhymes for crisp →Frequently asked questions
What does “crisp” mean?
The word “crisp” means firm and easily broken, in a satisfying way (used for food, fabric, or air). In plain terms, firm and pleasingly brittle, or clear and precise; in British English, also a fried potato snack.
How do you pronounce “crisp”?
“Crisp” is pronounced krihsp (/kɹɪsp/ in IPA).
How do you use “crisp” in a sentence?
Here is “crisp” used in a sentence: “The apple was crisp and juicy.”
What part of speech is “crisp”?
Depending on how it is used, “crisp” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “crisp” come from?
The word “crisp” comes from Latin. From Old English crisp, "curly," from Latin crispus — originally describing curly hair, later extended to the crackly, brittle sense we use today.
Is “crisp” a common word?
“Crisp” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “crisp” have?
“Crisp” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: firm and easily broken, in a satisfying way (used for food, fabric, or air).
What is the difference between a crisp and a chip?
In British English, a crisp is a thin fried slice of potato sold as a snack, while in American English the same snack is called a "chip." American English reserves "crisp" mainly as an adjective describing texture, whereas British English uses it as the noun for the snack itself.
What does crisp mean when describing weather or air?
When describing weather, crisp means cold, fresh, and invigorating, often used for clear autumn or winter days, as in "a crisp morning." This sense draws on the adjective's core meaning of being sharp and pleasingly firm, applied metaphorically to the feel of the air.
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